Anti-Taliban police chief shot dead in Afghanistan

PanARMENIAN.Net - An official says motorcycle-riding gunmen have shot dead a police chief who led an anti-Taliban campaign in western Afghanistan in front of his house, according to The Associated Press.

Abdul Ghani was leaving his driveway in his car when the two raced up and opened fire in Farah province.

Provincial spokesman Abdul Rahman Zhawandai said Saturday, May 18, that Ghani was rushed to hospital after the attack Friday night but died of his wounds.

Ghani had recently launched a crackdown against insurgents that resulted in the killing and capture of several Taliban leaders. Zhawandai said the Taliban retaliated to stop him.

Afghan security forces and government officials are targeted by the Taliban to weaken the government of President Hamid Karzai ahead of the withdrawal of most international troops by the end of 2014.